Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Croydon]
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58
MENTAL HEALTH
As requested by the Ministry the following details of the
service are set out:-
Administration
The administration of this service continued on similar
lines to those described in previous reports, being as follows:The
Medical Officer of Health in general administrative control,
the Deputy Medical Officer of Health and three Assistant Medical
Officer's of Health (as approved Medical Officers under the
Mental Deficiency Acts), 1 Co-Ordinating Officer for Mental
Deficiency/Duly Authorised Officer, 4 Duly Authorised Officers,
1 Clerk, 1 Occupation Centre Supervisor, 4 Assistant Occupation
Centre Supervisors, 1 Handicraft Instructor.
Co-ordination with Related Services
A considerable proportion of the total mental health
facilities available in the County Borough of Croydon are
represented by services provided by the Hospital Management
Committee of Warlingham Park Hospital. In addition to the Child
Guidance Clinic and the numerous Adult Out-Patient Clinics conducted
at the Mayday Hospital and the Croydon General Hospital,
these services include psycho-therapeutic out-patient group
meetings, Alcoholic group meetings, an old people's club, other
psychiatric out-patients social clubs and a Day Treatment Centre.
These activities are conducted at 103, Park Lane and are organised
by the Physician Superintendent of Warlingham Park
Hospital. There is close personal contact between the Authority's
Officers and those of the hospital services.
Voluntary Associations
The only duty delegated to a voluntary organisation was the
supervision of 12 defectives placed under the care of the
Brighton Guardianship Society.
Work carried out in the Community
The pages which follow give details of the work undertaken
in 1958. No new developments have arisen and the over all
position remains fairly static. My thanks are extended to Dr.
Firmin of St. Lawrence's Hospital, and Dr. Ferguson of the Royal
Earlswood Institution, whose co-operation in admitting urgent
cases during 1958 has been greatly appreciated.